Rani Mukerji receives Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award in Prabhadevi

Rani Mukerji received the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi on Wednesday, calling the recognition especially meaningful because it came from Maharashtra, where she was born and has worked in cinema for nearly three decades.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the award at the 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, along with members of the film fraternity, attended the event.

“Mumbai has given me my identity. It has given me an audience. It has given me a career,” Mukerji said, describing the city as her home and safe place.

Mukerji said she had sought roles centred on women with courage, flaws and resilience, citing her work in films including *Black*, *No One Killed Jessica*, *Hichki*, the *Mardaani* films and *Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway*. She dedicated the award to Maharashtra’s artists, technicians, filmmakers and other workers who sustain the state’s film industry.